We are excited to announce new improvements to the Forms area of ReachMoreParents.
Following a full review of the templates available in the Forms area, we have made significant changes, by adding new templates and updating and improving our previous templates.
Changes have been made with a focus on some key criteria:
-Reduce the necessity to create new forms from scratch.
-Reduce the necessity to edit a template before publishing.
-If editing is required, reduce the amount of time spent editing a template before publishing.
-Make editing a template more intuitive and easy.
-Improve the parent/carer's user experience of filling out a form on a mobile device.
-Improve the admin's user experience of finding the relevant information when form results have been exported to Excel.
Descriptions of all new and updated templates, can be found further down the page.
You will find the new templates in Forms>Templates:
For information about our criteria for changes and how this has been achieved, keep reading below.
We have achieved this criteria by:
-Producing a wider variety of templates.
By adding new templates that weren't previously available, we have reduced the necessity for users to create forms from scratch, making it quicker than ever to get a form published.
-Producing more specific templates.
By creating templates that are more specific to certain scenarios, we have either removed the necessity to edit the template before publishing, or at least given users a more relevant starting point, reducing the time required to edit a template before publishing.
-Designing templates with parent/carers in mind.
We have tested how each template is displayed for parent/carers on a mobile device, ensuring fields are not too close together, and the form is easy to navigate.
-Designing templates with admin staff in mind.
We have tested how each template is displayed for admin users when the form results are exported to Excel, ensuring information is displayed appropriately, and easy to find.
-Establishing best practice methods of capturing a piece of information/laying out a form.
Where possible, we have ensured that the method of capturing common pieces of information and the way fields are laid out is consistent across all forms. This should reduce confusion around the best method to capture information or structure a form.
-Using the 'Quick Component' fields as much as possible.
Where possible, we have used the quickest and easiest method to add new fields in the form editor; 'Quick Components'. We hope demonstrating the use of 'Quick Components' fields will give users more confidence to use the 'Quick Component' fields when creating their own forms from scratch, making the transition from novice to expert more intuitive.
-Applied required asterisks to necessary fields.
Many of our previous templates did not have the 'Required Asterisk' setting turned on for all fields that would usually be required when filling out a form. A user is unable to submit a form if they have not provided information in a field that has the 'Required Asterisk' setting turned on.
We have now ensured that any fields that would usually require information to be provided have this setting turned on. This should drastically reduce the amount of time required to edit a template, as fields that should be required do not have to be checked and edited individually before publishing.
This will also prevent schools from receiving incomplete forms from parents, where the staff member that has published the form has not turned on the 'Required Asterisk' setting on a field that should be required.
New and updated form templates
Descriptions of all new and updated form templates can be found below:
Agreement for School to Administer Medicine
Status: Updated and improved
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers to provide consent for school staff to administer prescribed medicine to their child.
Pages/Headings: Student Personal Details, Medical Condition, Medicine Details, Emergency Procedure, Emergency Contact, Agreement and Signature.
Application for Vulnerable Bursary Funding (2024-25)
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers or students to apply for a bursary for students aged 16-19 in vulnerable groups.
Pages/Headings: Key Information, Student Personal Details, Eligibility and Required Evidence, Upload Evidence, Use of Funds, Payment Details, Signature.
Asthma Medication Record and Care Plan
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers that will inform the school of medication and care required for a student with asthma.
Pages/Headings: Student Personal Details, Medication & Care, Doctor Details, Emergency Contact, Consent & Signature.
Change of Contact Details Form
Status: Updated and improved
Previous Name: Change of Contact Details
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers that will inform the school of a change in a student or parent/carer's contact details.
Pages/Headings: Type of Change, Student Name(s), Change of Student(s) Home Address, Change of Parent/Carer Phone or Email, Change of Parent/Carer(s) Home Address, Addition of Parent/Carer Contact(s), Removal of Parent/Carer Contact(s), Signature.
Charity Gift Aid Declaration (Multiple Donation)
Status: Updated and improved
Description: A form for parents to declare multiple donations to the school as Charity Gift Aid.
Pages/Headings: Gift Aid Declaration, Donor's Details
Child Collection from School Consent Form
Status: Brand New
Description: A form for parent/carers to inform the school and give consent for who will collect their child from school.
Pages/Headings: Student Details, Collection Contacts, Emergency Contact, Consent and Signature.
Child Collection from School Consent Form (with Daily Arrangements)
Status: Brand New
Description: A form for parent/carers to inform the school and give consent for who will collect their child from school on each day of the week.
Pages/Headings: Student Details, Collection Contacts, Daily Arrangements, Emergency Contact, Consent and Signature.
Emergency Contact Form
Status: Brand New
Description: A form for parent/carers to provide emergency contact information. Commonly used for external activities and clubs.
Pages/Headings: Student Personal Details, Emergency Contact, Signature.
Free School Meal Application Request Form
Status: Updated and improved
Previous Name: Pupil Premium Form
Description: A form to be completed by parents/carers to request that schools apply to the local authority on their behalf for their child to receive Free School Meals.
Pages/Headings: Eligibility Check, Parent/Carer Details, Student Details/ Declaration and Signature.
GCSE Subject Choices Form
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by students or parent/carers to inform the school of their GCSE subject choices.
Pages/Headings: Student Details, First Choice Options, Second Choice Options
General Student Data Collection Form
Status: Updated and improved
Previous Name: Student Data Collection Sheet
Description: A form to be completed by parents/carers to provide the school with all relevant information relating to them and their child. This form is typically used for new students joining the school. This is a base template which can be edited easily and quickly to produce individual or combined data collection forms for each of the pages/headings.
Pages/Headings: Student Personal Details, Student Contact Information, Nationality, Ethnicity & Languages, Religion, Medical Information, Dietary Needs, Special Educational Needs, Transport Arrangements, Family & Living Situation, Parent/Carer Details 1, Parent/Carer Details 2, Parent/Carer Details 3, Data Consent.
General Consent Form
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers to provide consent for their children to participate in a variety of school activities. This form is typically used for new students joining the school. This is a base template which can be edited easily and quickly to produce individual or combined consent forms for each of the pages/headings.
Pages/Headings: Student Name and Year, Photograph/Video, Local Visit, Food Tasting, Parent Signature.
Medical, Dietary and Emergency Contact Form
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers to provide Medical and Dietary Needs, and Emergency Contact information. Commonly used for external activities and clubs.
Pages/Headings: Student Personal Details, Medical Information, Dietary Needs, Emergency Contact, Signature.
Photo/Video Consent Form
Status: Updated and improved
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers to provide consent relating to photographs/videos being taken of their child.
Pages/Headings: Student Name and Year, Photograph/Video, Parent Signature
Prescription Medication Record and Care Plan
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers that will inform the school of medication and care required for a student with a medical condition and prescribed medication.
Pages/Headings: Student Personal Details, Medical Condition, Medicine Details, Doctor Details, Emergency Procedure, Emergency Contact, Signature
School Trip Consent Form - Day Trip
Status: Updated and improved
Previous Name: School Trip Consent
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers to provide consent and any other required information for an upcoming school trip lasting a single school day.
Pages/Headings: Trip Information, Student Name, Payment, Medical Information, Food & Water, Emergency Contact, Consent & Signature.
School Trip Consent Form - Domestic Residential Trip
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers to provide consent and any other required information for an upcoming residential trip in the UK.
Pages/Headings: Trip Information, Student Name, Payment, Medical Information, Dietary Needs, Emergency Contact, Consent & Signature.
School Trip Consent Form - International Residential Trip
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by parent/carers to provide consent and any other required information for an upcoming residential trip in a foreign country.
Pages/Headings: Trip Information, Student Name, Payment, Medical Information, Dietary Needs, Emergency Contact, Passport Details, Consent & Signature.
Work Experience Placement Application Form
Status: Brand New
Description: A form to be completed by both student and parent/carers together, to apply for a KS4 work experience placement arranged by the school, in the event that a student is unable to find their own self-placement.
Pages/Headings: Student Details, Work Experience Preferences, Medical, Travel, About Me, Additional Information, Parent/Carer - Agreement and Signature, Student Signature.
How can I use a Form Template?
You can find a video guide and step-by-step instructions here.
Removed/unchanged templates
On top of those templates that have been updated, some templates have been removed. One template, 'Leave of Absence Request' has remained available and unchanged.
Feedback
If you would like to give feedback about any of the changes made, please let us know here